Chronic sufferers searching for migraine & headache pain causes may not know that the solution to their pain may be with their dentist.

TMJ migraine & headache pain is more common than you may think and can alter the quality of life for anyone suffering from them. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. When this joint is out of alignment, it can cause a multitude of problems, including migraines and headaches.

Essentially what happens when you have TMJ pain is that the muscles surrounding your face, head and neck are under constant strain. Everyday living causes additional stress on those muscles and that joint. Even when you are relaxing, the muscles are not ??resting?? in their natural position, so the misaligned joint becomes stressed, causing pain.

All this additional strain on the muscles in your head, face, and neck can lead to TMJ migraines & headaches, and irritation and soreness in all those connected muscles.

Causes of TMJ disorder

Though there are studies still being done on the causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, doctors have identified some medical or physical problems that can be attributed to it.

• Stress may be a cause of TMJ pain, due to the muscles being overworked, thereby causing inflammation. If you find yourself constantly straining your neck or shoulder muscles, this stress may lead to further problems, including migraine & headache pain.
• You may be at at higher risk of developing TMJ Disorder if you suffer from medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. Because both of these conditions affect the body’s joints, so it makes sense that the additional stress could cause problems.
• Genetics may play a role in developing TMJ disorder because there are those that are born with structural problems in their jaw.
• Another common cause of the disorder is due to trauma, accident or injury. If you have suffered from a dislocated jaw, for example, this could explain your migraine and headache pain.
• Habits such as the tendency to clench your jaw or grind your teeth can put you at increased risk for developing Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

When your TMJ is out of alignment, the pain it causes radiates through the jaw and into the face and head, sometimes leading to headaches. Although these headaches can affect your entire head and neck, they are often focused in your temples, behind your eyes, around your ears and jaw joint, or at the back of your head near your neck.

If the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint experience tension and tighten up, it can cause the rest of the muscles in your?face and head to tense up as well. That can lead to a tension headache.

Get your life back!

If you want to get rid of your migraine and headache pain fast, you can find resolutions at the best TMJ dentist in Racine, Dr. Westman. He has experience in helping people deal with TMJ disorder to find the best treatment options for their pain.